Metallic structure for floors and the like



Sept. 13, 1960 H. E. wElLER l METALLIC STRUCTURE FOR FLOORS AND THE LIKE Original Filed Nov. 5, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 AINVENTOR. /wy a M BY affazmz .mow MN WN J.

H. E. WEILER lMETALLIC STRUCTURE FOR FLOORS AND THE LIKE Sept. 13, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Nov. 5, 1956 Sept. 13, 1960 H. E. wElLER METALLIC STRUCTURE EOE ELooEs AND THE LIKE Original Filed Nov. 5, 1956 ,3 Sheetssheet 3 XNY United States Patent i METALLIC STRUCTURE FOR FLOORS AND THE LIKE Harry E. Weiler, Henrico County, Va., assignor to Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Continuation of application Ser. No. 620,412, Nov. 5, 1956. This application July 13, 1959, Ser. No.

9 Claims. (Cl. 189-34) The object of this invention is to provide a metallic structure for flooring or other surfacing purposes, particularly adapted for commercial vehicles wherein adequate air circulation under refrigerated loads is required. A characteristic of the invention is the provision of maximum air circulation space within the structure itself. Also the structure comprises a primary unit and associated units `adapted to be mutually secured in a manner providing rigidity for the combination. A maximum ratio of load-bearing strength to weight is provided without the employment of corrugation, by providing, in the primary unit, and also in certain `associated tying units, a flat, i.e., horizontal, load-bearing surface from which upwardly extend vertical ribs, at least the major number of the ribs merging into opposed flanges which partially close the spaces or channels between the ribs and which overhanging flanges provide a oor surface without excessively wide grooves. This application is a continuation of my now abandoned copending application Serial No. 620,412, led November 5, 1956.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is la transverse section through an assembly consisting of two primary iloor units mutually tied and tied to coacting side wall units.

Figure 2 is a transverse section through a primary floor unit having like longitudinal margins.

Figure 3 is a perspective view, in transverse section, showing one of the primary units of Figure 1, dotted lines connecting the marginal fragment of =a like unit.

Figure 4 is a perspective view, in section, of a side wall unit.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, showing the side wall unit of that figure modified.

Figure 6 is a perspective view, in section, showing a tie unit to be employed in themanner shown in the succeeding gure.

Figure 7 is a transverse section broken away at its margins and showing two primary units tied, i.e., connected, by the units shown in Figure 6.

The construction now'to be described as to the units thereof is particularly adapted for strong aluminum alloy extrusion. Figure 3 illustrates a preferred form of primary unit. It consists of a base wall 1 from which rises a plurality of ribs 2, the major number of the ribs carrying at their tops opposed laterally-projecting load-carrying anges, so that each rib with its top is T-shaped. The T-shaped top of each-rib overlies channels between the ribs, and said channels are open for free circulation of the lair. In the structure of Figure 3 means integral with the margins of the structure is provided for rigidly tying together two like members when they areY brought together in reverse position. For such purpose the margins of the said structure are differently formed as now to be described.

Referring to the right-hand margin of Figure 3, it

be seen that a relatively deep rounded channel or groove Vcoacting unit shown inY Figure 3.

PatentedSept. 13, Y1960 ICC 3 is formed inthe under-surface of the load-carrying rib top 4, the latter being made up of the opposed ilanges at the top of the rib. This channel extends longitudinally of member 4. Rising from base member 1, in outwardly spaced relation to theouter rib 2, land extending 1on- `gitudinally thereof isa short rib 5 preferably havin-g its inner wall 5X downwardly inclined. At the opposite margin of the structure the outermost anged rib 2 carries a raised horizontal wall 6, the latter outwardly merging into a downwardly inclined extension 7 which carries =a generally L-shaped extension consisting of horizontal wall 8 and vertical wall 9, the top of which has a 'bead or rounded nose 1,0.

Wall 8 is raised vto a degree equivalent to the thickness of the basewaill 1. In the assembly of two like units `of the structure shown in Figure 3 they are abutted and as` indicatedk by dotted lines in that iigure the reverse Amarginsmay be interlocked, with wall S of the rst unit resting on the base wall of the second unit, wall 7 of the rst unitabutting the` inclined base 5X of rib 5 of the secondunit, and nose 10 of the first unit seated in groove `3 of the colacting unit.

lntFigurevl the said-two interlocked units are shown as interlocked with side wall or dashing units. Re-

ferring tothe right-hand side wall unit, it consists of a base wall 11 from which, rising to a degree required for arshing, is a vertical wall 12 spaced from a rib 13 which ,may have opposed anges or the single left-hand ange shown in. the ligure. Rib 13 carries a raised horizontal wall 14 merging into a downwardly inclined wall 15 which, in turn, carries the slightly raised horizontal wall 16 at the lower end of a vertical member 17 having a rounded nose17xiat its topv to enter the channel 3 of the Except for its relatively deep vertical wall 12X the left-hand side wall memberof Figure 1 is formedexactly the same as the righthand, end of Figure 3 and requires no further description. It is shown more clearly in Figure 4 and those elements which are the same for interlocking as those ,at the right-hand end of Figure 3 bear the same numerals.

' In some casesitV maybe desirable to reverse the posi- In such case that tie member the base wall 18 carries a central upstanding rib y19 having a load-bearing top 19X formedby vopposed anges, each vflange having an underlying longitudinal channelV or, groove at 20. At each side of rib k19 and spaced therefrom Ais a shallow rib 21 having an innerV downwardly inclined wall 21X. Thus when two like units are reversed in position their vertical walls 9 -may abut the .opposite faces ofthe connectorv `wall `19 withv thelbead or nose 10 of each wall 9 in its appropri- .'ate channel 20 of the connector, as shown in Figure 7.

When` the like-'units are reversed inthe manner shown in Figure 7 each marginL of the assembled structure, Will be @like that at` the right-hand end of Figure 3, and two of ltlieside wallmembersshown in, Figure 5 will interlock with, the, margins ofthe assembled primary when required.` f

The modiiiedprimary unit shown in Figure 2 is adapted structure,

,to receive either additional .primary members of the .supporting surfaceandineach casethe outermost flange is formed with achannel at 24 to receive the nose 10 of theunit shown in/Figure. 3 or the nose 1'7,X Vof the Lsidie wall unit shown in Figure 5,-and` at each margin the structure of Figure 2 carries within .the margin the same shallow rib shown at S in Figure 3 and for the same purpose.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made in the forms and arrangements of the elements illustrated in the drawings, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

l. A metallic structural member adapted vfor flooring in truck, railway cars, and the like, consisting of a basi wall from which rise between its lateral margins a plurality of spaced vertically extending ribs, each of a plurality of said ribs being formed at its top with opposed laterally projecting load-carrying flanges overlying channels, said member being formed near one margin thereof with an outermost straight rib having an outwardly extending top flange section formed with an underlying seat adjacent a downwardly extending Wall of the rib which terminates -at the top of the base wall, the base wall extending outwardly from said rib wall in straight formation at top and bottom and having at said extension an intermediatey upwardly extending short rib having inwardly thereof an inclined face, the opposite margin of said structural member carrying inwardly thereof a rib upwardly extending :from the base wall, said rib integrally carrying a web which has four sections, the first web section being a wall member substantially parallel with the base wall, the second section extending downwardly from the first section at an outwardly directed angle, the third section extending outwardly in parallelism with the base wall, and the fourth section extending substantially at right angles to the third section and parallel with the rib at the opposite margin of the member and having a length equivalent to the length of said rib, the base walls of twolike members, reversely arranged and marginally intertted being adapted for lying flat in line, with the said intertting members above the base walls.

2. At least two panel-like extruded metal sections adapted to be interlocked along their side edges to provide at least a portion of a floor having upstanding parallel single-wall ribs provided with flat load-bearing tops and separated by channels, one of said sections having along one side an upstanding single-wall rib provided with a load-bearing flat top, said top having a lip along its outer ,edge overhanging the outer side of said rib and provided in its undersurface with a longitudinal groove-like rounded seat, a flange-like lateral extension on the outer side of said rib at its base, said extension having a at bearing undersurface and an upstanding rib shorter than and extending in spaced parallel relation to said first-mentioned rib to denne therebetween a shallow channel, the other of said sections having along one side `an upstauding singlewall rib provided with a load-bearing at top, a ange-like lateral extension on the outer side of said last-mentioned rib above its base, said extension having at its outer edge an upright flange terminating at its upper edge in a rounded nose complementary to and for pivotal engagement kwithin said seat on said one section during assembly of said sections, said flange and an outer portion of said lastmentioned extension being complementary and having surfaces conforming respectively to the outer side of `said one section rib and said shallow depression, for snug engagement therewith when said sections are assembled, the construction and arrangement of said sections being such that said nose can be engaged in said seat with said other section tilted up from said one side of said one section and then said other section pivoted down about said seat to bring said conforming surfaces into their said snug engagement.

3. The structure defined in claim 2 in which the inner surface of the shorter rib is inclined downwardly and inwardly. l

radapted to be interlocked along their side edges `to provide at least a portion of a floor having upstanding parallel single-wall ribs provided with load-bearing flat tops and separated by channels, each of said sections including a base panel provided with upstanding parallel, single-wall ribs having flat load-bearing tops and separated by channels for air circulation and drainage, one of said sections terminating at one side in a side edge of its base panel with one of said ribs spaced inwardly of said panel edge, the top of said one rib having an overhanging lip along its outer edge, said lip being provided -in its undersurface with a longitudinal groovelike rounded seat, a shorter rib upsta-nding from said one section base panel outwardly of and in spaced parallel relation to said tone rib, theother of said sections terminating at one side in one of its said ribs, a flangelike lateral extension on the outer side of said lastmentioned rib above the base panel of said other section, said extension having an outer portion complementary to and provided with surfaces conforming to those on the one section between the top of said short rib and said seat for snug overlying engagement therewith when said sections are assembled, said lextension terminating in a rounded edge of an upstanding :[lange, said rounded edge being complementary to and adapted for pivotal engagement within said Seat during assembly of said sections, the construction and arrangement of said sections being such that said rounded edge can be engaged within said seat with said other section tilted up from said one side of said one section, and then said other section pivoted down about said seat to bring said conforming surfaces into their said snug engagement.

6. The structure defined in claim 5 in which the inner side of the short rib is inclined downwardly and inwardly.

7. The structure defined in claim 5 in which the short rib is spaced inwardly of the panel edge.

8. At least two panel-like extruded sections adapted to be interlocked along their side edges to provide at least a portion of a floor having upstanding parallel single-wall ribs provided with iiat load-bearing tops and separated by channels, one of said sections having along one side an upstanding single-wall rib provided with a load-bearing flat top, said rib having along its outer side an overhanging flange provided in its undersurface with a longitudinal groove-like rounded seat, a flange-like lateral extension on the outer side ofY said rib at its base, said extension having a substantially flat bearing undersurface and an upstanding rib shorter than and extending in spaced parallel relation to said first-mentioned rib to dene therebetween a shallow channel, the other of said sections having along one side an upstanding single-wall rib provided with a load-bearing at top, a ange-like lateral extension on the outer side of said last-mentioned rib above its base, said last-mentioned extension being provided at its outer edge with an upright flange-like portion terminating at its upper edge in a rounded nose substantially complementary to and for pivotal engagement within said seat on said one section during assembly ofsaid sections, said flange-like portion and an outer portion of said last-mentioned extension being complementary and having surfaces conforming respectively to the .outer side of said one section rib below said seat and said shallow channel, for snug engagement therewith when said sections are assembled, the construction and arrangement of said sections being such that said nose can be engaged in said seat with said sections tilted relative to each other and `then said sections relatively rotated about said engagement into generally coplanar disposition to bring said conforming surfaces into their snug engagement.

9. At least two panel-like extruded sections adapted to be interlocked along their side edges to provide at least a portion of a iloor having upstanding parallel single-wall ribs provided with flat load-bearing tops and Separated by channels, each of said sections including a base panel provided with upstanding parallel, singlewall ribs having flat load-bearing tops and separated by channels for air circulation and drainage, one of said sections terminating at one side in a side edge of its base panel with one of said ribs spaced inwardly of said panel edge, said one rib having along its outer side an overhan'ging flange provided in its undersurface with a longitudinal groove-like rounded seat, a shorter rib upstanding from said one section base panel outwardly of and in spaced parallel relation to said one rib, the other of said sections terminating at one side in one of its said ribs, a flange-like lateral extension on the outer side of said last-mentioned rib above the base panel of said other section, said extension having an outer portion complementary to and provided with surfaces.

conforming to those on the one section between the top of said short rib and said seat for snug overlying engagement therewith when said sections are assembled, said extension terminating in a rounded edge of an upstanding ange, said rounded edge being complementary to and adapted for pivotal engagement within said seat during assembly of said sections, the construction and arrangement of s-aid sections being such that said rounded edge can be engaged within said seat with said sections tilted relative to each other, and then said sections relatively rotated about said engagement into generally coplanar disposition to bring said conforming surfaces into their snug engagement.

No references cited. 

